Web accessibility: What is it and how is it achieved?

How is web accessibility achieved?

In order to achieve web accessibility, we must be aware that not all users access the Web with the same technical means and that not all users are able to correctly perceive all the content published on the Web. This idea is summarized in the two basic principles of accessible web design:

• Create pages that transform correctly
• Offer the content in an understandable way to facilitate navigation through the website

Considering the web Six Principles of Accessible Web Design, we see six principles of accessible web design that are not as general as the previous ones but that specify some technical details:

1. Create pages that meet accepted standards.
2. Know the differences between presentation and structure elements; Use style sheets when possible.
3. Uses HTML (4.0) features to provide rich content about the purpose and function of elements.
4. Make sure the pages can be navigated with the keyboard.
5. Provides alternative methods for non-textual content, including images, scripts, multimedia, tables, forms, and frames, for user agents that cannot display them.
6. Beware of common pitfalls that can reduce a site’s accessibility.

What are the web accessibility guidelines?

Some of the accessible design guidelines that we propose are the following:

1. Provide equivalent alternatives for visual and auditory content
2. Do not rely only on color
3. Use bookmarks and style sheets and do it appropriately
4. Identify the language used
5. Create tables that transform correctly
6. Ensure that pages incorporating new technologies are transformed correctly
7. Assure the user control over changes to time-dependent content
8. Ensure direct accessibility of embedded interfaces
9. Design for device independence
10. Use workarounds
11. Use W3C technologies and guidelines
12. Provide context and guidance information
13. Provide clear navigation mechanisms
14. Ensure documents are clear and simple

What are the web accessibility layers?

We can divide the interaction of system and user information into five layers, where each layer must conform to the Design for All and Universal Accessibility guidelines. Each layer is assigned accessibility guidelines.

1. Content. Nature of the information or electronic document: text, audio, image, video, etc
2. Application. Program where the content is displayed
3. Operating System. Software layer on which the application layer depends
4. Device. Layer of physical components that includes the central unit and peripherals
5. Environment. Place where the user is located with the technological device

What are the web accessibility standards?

The main laws, decrees and regulations regarding web accessibility in Spain are:

• UNE 139802:1998 EX Standard: health informatics: computer applications for people with disabilities: accessibility requirements for computer platforms: software.
• LAW 34/2002, of July 11, on information society services and electronic commerce.
• ORDER PRE/1551/2003, of June 10, which develops the first final provision of Royal Decree 209/2003, of February 21, which regulates electronic records and notifications, as well as the use of electronic means to replace the provision of certificates by citizens.
• LAW 51/2003, of December 2, on equal opportunities, non-discrimination and universal accessibility for people with disabilities.
• UNE 139803:2004 Standard: Computer applications for people with disabilities. Accessibility requirements for content on the Web.
• ROYAL DECREE 1414/2006, of December 1, which determines the consideration of a person with a disability for the purposes of Law 51/2003, of December 2, on Equal opportunities, non-discrimination and universal accessibility of people with disabilities.
• ROYAL DECREE 366/2007, of March 16, which establishes the conditions of accessibility and non-discrimination of people with disabilities in their relations with the General Administration of the State.
• LAW 11/2007, of June 22, on electronic access of citizens to Public Services.
• ROYAL DECREE 1494/2007, of November 12, which approves the Regulation on the basic conditions for the access of people with disabilities to technologies, products and services related to the information society and social media.
• LAW 27/2007, of October 23, which recognizes Spanish sign languages and regulates the means of supporting oral communication for deaf, hearing-impaired and deafblind people.
• LAW 49/2007, of December 26, which establishes the regime of infractions and sanctions regarding equal opportunities, non-discrimination and universal accessibility for people with disabilities.
• LAW 56/2007, of December 28, on Measures to Promote the Information Society.
• LAW 7/2010, of March 31, General Audiovisual Communication.
• LAW 26/2011, of August 1, on regulatory adaptation to the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• UNE 139803:2012 Standard: Accessibility requirements for content on the Web.
• Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013, of November 29, which approves the Consolidated Text of the General Law on the rights of people with disabilities and their social inclusion.